Kynnystekniikan

Kynnystekniikan, meaning "threshold technology" in Finnish, refers to a concept in technology adoption and diffusion. It describes the stage where a new technology or innovation moves from its initial development and experimental phases into broader commercial viability and widespread use. This transition often involves overcoming significant technical hurdles, proving its effectiveness, and establishing a viable market.

The concept of kynnystekniikan highlights the challenges associated with bringing disruptive innovations to market. These challenges can include high development costs, the need for new infrastructure, user acceptance, regulatory barriers, and the integration with existing systems. Technologies are considered to have crossed the "threshold" when they are no longer niche or experimental but have become practical, accessible, and economically feasible for a significant number of users or applications.

Examples of technologies that have undergone a kynnystekniikan phase include personal computers, mobile phones, and renewable energy sources like solar power. In each case, initial breakthroughs were followed by periods of refinement, cost reduction, and market development before they became commonplace. Understanding kynnystekniikan is important for policymakers, investors, and businesses looking to foster innovation and guide the successful adoption of new technological advancements. It emphasizes that invention alone is not sufficient; sustained effort is required to make a technology truly impactful.